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Counsel Concerns: Retiring Disney GC Reportedly 'Upset' Over Handling of ABC Sex Allegations Probe

By Phillip Bantz
October 01, 2021

When a company is confronted with a potential scandal and considering whether to launch an investigation, general counsel tend to be involved in that decision — and for good reason. But what happens when the legal chief gets leapfrogged?

That question arose after CNN reported that The Walt Disney Co. general counsel and executive vice president Alan Braverman, who is slated to retired at the end of this year, was "upset" with ABC News president Kim Godwin. Why? Godwin called for an independent probe of the company's handling of sex assault allegations against former Good Morning America senior executive producer Michael Corn.

The CNN report, which was based on "two people familiar with the matter," noted that Disney General Entertainment chairman Peter Rice also was "angered" with Godwin. Disney, which owns ABC, did not respond to requests for comment.

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